Cooler for photomechanical printing plates



Aug. s, 1939. R GE'RME 2,169,042

COOLER FOR PHOTOMECHANICAL PRINTING PLATES Filed Dc. '7, 1938 s sheets-sheet 1 11mm l I Inl/911151' 5y H6 CIQEI'ZL @Erme l EB :11138 I; Irn,

R'. GERMIE 2,169,042

COOLER FOR HOTOMECIfIANCAL IPRLNTING PLATES l Filed inea. 17, 1293s :s sneet-sheet :2`

ug. 8, 1939. R GERME 2,169,042

COOLER FOR PHOTOMECHANICAL PRINTING PLATES Filed Dec. 7, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheetl 3 y? ff @wf/'24m ,G Mig;

jerme 'w .i

Patented Aug. 8, 19.39-

PATENT OFFICE COOLER FOR PHOTOMECHANICAL PRINTING PLATES Robert Germe, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 7, 1938, Serial No. 244,399

15 Claims.

The present invention relates to coolers lfor photomechanical printing plates, and more particularly to coolers ofthe kind mentioned Wherein the cooling uid is applied directly to one side "5 of the plate being cooled.

One object of the invention is to provide a compact cooler of the kind mentioned which will be self-contained and independent of outside connections with a water supply. To this end I associate'the cooling basin, in which the plate supporting grid is located, with a water tank in which an ample supply of water may be kept, and then provide for withdrawing Water from the tank and supplying it to the basin. After being used in the basin, the water is returned tothe tank. Thus, a circulating system is provided. The circulation may be continuous, thereby providing a steady stream of fresh` and cool water, or a succession of pools may be produced by filling the cooling basin from time to time. Preferably the only connection required to an outside source is an electrical connection which may be easily and readily obtained by simply inserting a plug, at the free end of a. connecting cord, into a fixed socket. f Y Y Another object is to provide novel means for controlling the distribution of the water Within the controlling basin so as to prevent upheavals of the water at any point in the surface contacted by the plate being cooled. In other Words, a control is provided so that the water level in the cooling basin will not be disturbed by the incoming water. To this end I may employ several means independently or con-jointly, as desired. Thus, I may distribute the incoming water through apertures in the bottom of the basin; I may cause the water to issue into the basin in laterally directed jets; and again, I may bye-pass the basin supply so as to cut down the pressure. These three ways may be used independently or jointly in different combinations, as will be obvious.

Another Objectis to so arrange'the various partsof the cooler that they may be readily enclosed and to encfose them all except thecooling basin and the immediately adjacent partswhich must be left open during operation. Thus, in the embodiment shown, the pump, motor, piping connections, and associated valves arey all covered up by a cover which ts upon' the base and against one side of the water tank.

Another object is to provide for the .eicient and ready cleaning of the tank Vand basin of sediment which may accumulate therein. This applies to the basin whetherof simple form or of a modied form in which the basin proper is provided with an auxiliary chamber through which the water passes on its way to the basin.

'Ihese and other objects and features of the invention will be more fully understood upon reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, while the scope of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It will also be understood that some of the features herein presented are capable of use in otherfrelations than disclosed in the present case. As an illustration, it is obvious that the pressure control features would be just as applicable were the basin supplied with water from a `city main or other outside source instead of being supplied from a contiguous water tank, as would be the case-With a portable outfit.

In said drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a cooler constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention, the cover for the pump, motor and connections being removed. Fig. 2`is a plan View of the same, a central portion being broken out so as to bring the whole within the limits of the drawing and other parts being cut and broken away to show details, the cover also being shown in section taken at a low level. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a part of a strainer basket associated with the gutter surrounding the cooling basin. Fig. 4 is a central vertical sectionthrough the cooler, the plane of section Abeing indicated by the line 4 4 of Fig. 2, again an intermediate portion being broken out to bring the view Within narrow limits but this time the cover being included in the section. Fig. 5 is a similar section of the upper portion of a cooler illustrating particularly a modified cooling basin and connections. And Fig. 6 is a detailed sectional view through one of the squeegees and associated parts at one side of the basin, the plane of section being indicated by the line 6 3 of Fig. `2. Throughout these views like characters refer to like parts.

In brief, the cooler disclosed herein as the preferred embodiment of the invention, includes a base A upon which is located a water tank B, a centrifugal pump C, and an electric motor D. The pump C draws Water from the tank B through an inlet connection E and forces it through an outlet connection F into the interior of a chamber formed on the under side of the lcooling basin G. In the case of the modified construction, shown in Fig. 5, the basin, designated Cv',V is not provided with an under-chamber like the basin G, Abut the connection F enters directly into the bottom of the basin. In the associated basin, whether the basin G or the basin G, is the grid which is the support for the plates which are cooled by the device. In the case of basin G, a grid H is employed while with basin G', a similai1 grid H' is necessary, due to the different depths of the two basins. As each plate is withdrawn from the grid, it passes over a squeegee I. In order to remove sediment from the tank B the outlet K is provided.l Similarly, to clear out basin G and its associated under-chamber, the latter is provided with outlet connection L which may be opened to atmosphere by removing a plug M. In the case of the modied basin G', the connection L is made directly through the bottom of the basin as in this form there is no associated chamber. When the water leaves the cooling basin, whether the form be the divided form G or the single form G', it passes intol a peripheral gutter N. The latter is provided at suitable points with perforated baskets O which serve as strainers to catch material which may be removed from the plates, or has otherwise gotten into the water. Associated with the supply connection F is a bye-pass connection P which leads from the connection F directly into the tank B. As before indicated, this bye-pass serves as one of the means for regulating the pressure of water in the cooling basin.

'Ihe base A may be made up in any approved form. As illustrated, it is flat and includes an outer rectangular frame I composed of angleiron pieces welded together at their ends, in association with a rectangular horizontally positioned plate II which constitutes the iioor of the base. Preferably the plate II is composed 0f metal and is supported upon spaced strips I2 which extend lengthwise of the cooler and are in turn supported at their ends upon the horizontal iianges 0f the adjacent angle-bars of the frame IEI. Beneath the strips I2 and in engagement with them is a bottom plate I3. This plate may be welded or otherwise connected at its periphery to the angle-iron frame, and it may be secured to the strips I2 in any desired way. The strips I2 may be composed of metal or wood as desired.

The base A is provided with supporting wheels I4 mounted for rotation in suitable frames I5 secured to the under side of the plate I3 in any approved manner. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four such supporting wheels located near the corners of the base. As clearly shown, the upwardly extending flange of the frame I0 of the base extends slightly above the plate II so as to form a retaining rim which will be of service in holding the tank B and other parts upon the platform.

The water tank B includes a bottom I8, a front wall I9, a rear wall 20, and ends 2I. These walls and bottom are composed of sheet metal suitably welded or otherwise secured together to form a water-tight enclosure. The tank is located .directly upon the base A and is positioned so-that its front wall I9 engages the upper portion of the front angle-iron I0 of the base. It is held in place through the agency of a second angleiron 22 which bears against the rear wall 20 and is held in position by being welded or otherwise secured to the plate II of the base.

The cover of the tank B may take diierent forms. That form which constitutes the basin G may be first considered. Here sheet metal pieces are shaped and welded together to provide a bottom 25 for the basin surroundedby a peripheral wall 26 which is connected at its top by a horizontal portion 21 with an outer wall portion 28. The latter forms the inner wall of the gutter N and is connected at its lower end to the gutter bottom 29. This bottom in turn is connected to the outer gutter wall 30 which is formed at its upper end with an outer downward turn 3| which provides a space into which the upper ends of the tank walls I9, 2D, 2I fit when the cover is in place. In service the basin G is filled to overflowing with water. In this particular embodiment the portion 2'I at the top of the basin wall constitutes a spillway for the excess liquid. The water escapingover the spillway wall passes into the gutter N.

In addition to the parts forming the base G and the gutter N, there is a chamber 33 located directly beneath the basin G. This chamber is provided with a bottom 34 and four walls 35 which are positioned so as to pass up into contacting engagement with the walls 28 which form the inner walls of the gutter. When the walls 35 are finally positioned, the two walls 28 and 35 are suitably secured together, as by welding. Preferably, the space between the wall portions 26 and 35 is filled with a bar 32 of metal which extends all the way around the basin, being rectangular in plan in accordance with the outline in plan of the basin. The bar 32 may be held in place by being welded to the adjacent wall portions or otherwise suitably secured. Preferably, too, the .bottom 34 of the lower chamber 33 is spaced a considerable distancebelow the bottom 25 of the basin. This is done in order to give considerable capacity to the chamber 33 into which the water is brought by the supply connection F. The basin bottom 25 is provided with a number of small apertures 36. These may be variously located in the bottom 25. Their function is to divide up the water as it passes from the chamber 33 into the basin Gand thus keep the level of the water at the time the basin is filled exactly horizontal.

lAt such time the water will be just passing over the spillway wall 21.

It is intended that the water which passes into the gutter N will pass into the interior of the water tank B. Accordingly, at suitable points, two in the present instance, the bottom 29 of the gutter is` provided with two rectangular openings into which the baskets O iit. As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the basket O has a bottom 31, sides 38 and ends 39, all of metal. The side walls 38 are laterally iianged to provide side flanges 40 and end flanges 4I. These flanges overlie the portions of the bottom 29 of the gutter adjacent to -the opening in which the basket is positioned.

The bottom, sides and ends of the strainer O are provided with a multiplicity of apertures 42. The water which passes from the gutter N into the tank B must pass through one or more of these strainer baskets and thus there is caught in the baskets any pieces of metal or other particles which may have gotten into the basin G during the use of the device. These baskets O 4are readily removable and thus the undesired contents may be dumped out and the baskets returned to their operative positions in the openings in the bottom 29 of the gutter.

Located within the basin G is the grid H. This grid is composed of a piece of wire netting 45, resting upon a rectangular frame composed of -vertical strips of metal, to the upper edges of which the screen is soldered or otherwise I secured. The frame which forms the support -for the screen member 45 includes side strips 46,

end strips 41 and one or more cross-strips 41', one being shown in the present instance. The screen 45 with its associated frame-work of strips 46, 41 and 41', is an unitary structure and may be removed bodily from the basin G at any time. The strips which are used to make up the frame of this grid member are of such width that when the grid member is completed the screen 45 will lie with its upper face in the plane of the spillway surfaces 21. This means that when water is owing from the basin G over the spillways, the screen 45 is just covered. It is this grid member that constitutes the support for the plates which are being cooled. As it is important to bring the water into contact only with one side of each plate so it is important that the level of the water in the basin just clear the upper face of the gri-d member. This bringing of the grid member and the water level into a proper relation is a matter well known in the art to which the invention relates and therefore need not be set forth with great exactitude.

At each end of the grid I-I is located the squeegees I, previously referred to. In each instance the squeegee is composed of a strip 48 of soft rubber or like pliable material, held between two supporting members 49, which are suitably secured to the cover of the tank, just outward of the adjacent portion of the gutter N. The squeegees are preferably removable. When the strip 48 of each squeegee is positioned between its supporting members 49, the whole assembled structure is pressed against the outer wall 30 of the gutter N and held in place preferably by two wedges 5|, 52 which act between the inner supporting member 49 and the inner gutter wall 28 at the ends of the squeegee as clearly shown, particularly in Fig. 2. With these squeegees in service, the attendant, after placing aplate, such as the plate 59, upon the grid I-I, may draw the same over the adjacent strip 48 and thus remove the greater part of the moisture from the plate. Usually there will be suflicient residual heat in the plate to evaporate the exceedingly small amount of moisture which might remain after the plate has been drawn across the drying strip 48. The squeegee strip 48 is positioned so that its top edge is slightly above the water level over the grid and said level is about an eighth of an inch above the metal of the grid screen 45.

The pump C which I employ may take many different forms. In the present instance, it is shown as a centrifugal pump carried by a frame 53 secured to the base plate The frame 53 is a U-shaped frame and one leg carries the pump proper and the other carries a bearing 54 for the shaft 55 of the pump. The other bearing for the shaft 55 is located within the pump structure. The inlet to the pump is located at the center and comprises the aperture boss 56 while the outlet is at the periphery and comprises an outlet connection 51.

The motor D is shown as an ordinary electric motor mounted upon the base plate I and having a shaft 58 which is in line with the shaft 55 and connected to it by a coupling 59. From the motor D suitable electrical conductors extend through a protecting pipe 60 to an electric switch 6| located on the rear wall 29 of the tank B. The switch 6| is in turn connected with suitable supply wires passing through a protective conduit 62. The conduit 62 is preferably connected to a junction box 63, and from this box a suitable electric cord 64, terminating in a plug 65,r enables the circuit to be extended from an ordinary electric light socket to the motor. The motor may be readily started and stopped by means of the switch 6|. With this construction, it will be seen that the cooler may be readily moved around from place to place and connected up with a conveniently located electric light socket whenever it is to be used. Obviously, the cord 64, made up of the two necessary conductors, may be of any suitable length.

The inlet connection E by which water is drawn from the tank B by the pump C, includes a nipple 68, which communicates with the interior of the tank and connects with the valve 69, the opposite end of the Valve connecting through the pipe 10 with a tting 1|. 'I'he latter in turn connects with an elbow 12 and connection to the pump is completed through pipes 13 and 14 united by a union 15.

The outlet connection F from the pump C includes a pipe 16, a coupling 19, pipe 89, valve 8|, nipple 82, T-connection 83, pipe 84, T-connection 16, pipe 11, check valve 85, pipe 86 and downwardly opening elbow 81. As clearly shown, the pipe 86 extends through an opening in the rear wall 29 of the tank and an opening in the adjae cent wall 35 of the chamber 33 associated with the basin G. It will be apparent that when the valves 69 and 8| are open and the pump operating, water will be conveyed from the tank B to the chamber 33 and thence to the basin G. Ordinarily, the tank will contain a supply of water suflicient to maintain a level at about the line 88. In a cooler which has been used heretofore in the practice of this invention, the tank when lled to a level such as that indicated by the line 88, contains approximately 75 gallons. The unconnected ends of the T-connections 16 and 83 are close-d with plugs 89 and 89 respectively.

The drain connection K, by which the tank B is drained off, includes a vertical pipe 99 connected to a horizontal pipe 9| in which is located a Valve 92, and a final outlet pipe 93 connects with the valve 92. The valve 92 is located near the pump side of the platform A on which the various parts are assembled. Because of this location it is easy of access. An angular hanger 94 secured to the under side of the plate I3 by welding or otherwise is apertured for the passage of the pipe 9| and serves to hold the latter in place.

When it becomes necessary to drain the basin G and the chamber 33, the drain connection L is employed. This includes an elbow 96 which is suitably threaded into a reinforced opening in the bottom 34 of the chamber 33 and is an element of the drain line which includes pipe 91, valve 98, nipples 99 and |99, elbows |9|, |92, pipe |03, a union |94 and pipe |95, connecting with the connecting member 1|. From the latter a nipple |96 connects with an outlet elbow |91 in one end of which is located the drain plug M. In order to physically support this drain line, a post |98 is positioned beneath the member |91 and rests upon the floor plate y| I.

At this point it may be noted that when the pump C is operating to draw water from the tank Band supply the same to the basin G, the valve 99 in the drain line should be closed. Of course, at this time the plug M is in place in the member |91. On the other hand, when it is desired to drain the'basin G and the chamber 33, the valve 98 is opened, the valve 69 is closed and the pump is not operating. At such time, the plug M being removed, the water Within said basin and chamber will be drained out through the member |91 as will be obvious. It will be noted that when the pump is operating and the Water is being supplied from the tank to the basin while the Valve 98 is closed there will be some suction in the pipes |03 and |05 and connections but this will not interfere with the proper operation of the pump.

Obviously, when cleaning out sediment from the tank B or the basin G or G', it is desirable, if not quite necessary, to flush out these parts with water supplied from an outside source. Commonly a hose connected to a suitable supply pipe can be used to convey the water to the tank and basin. When flushing out the tank B, the water may be introduced through one of the openings in which the strainers Ov are set, the strainer being preferably removed for the purpose. Where a hose is used, the outlet end may be introduced into the tank through such an opening and while the water is supplied, the valve 92 will be kept open so as to allow the water and sediment carried by it to pass out of the tank.

When flushing the basin G, water may be introduced to its interior and into the interior of the entrance chamber 33 by pouring the same into the basin and allowing it to pass through the holes 36 in the basin bottom 25 into the chamber 33 and thence out through the drain connection L, previously described. The hose may be used in this case also, and the water kept running into the basin until the desired cleaning has been accomplished.

In the case of both the tank and basin, the supplying of water may be continued until that which is discharged, is substantially clear water. In service the basin will require more frequent washing out than the tank. Indeed, the latter, being of large capacity, need not be ushed out except at long intervals.

The bye-pass P, associated with the supply line connection F, extends from T-connection 16, and includes pipe III, valve H2, nipple H3, elbow H4, pipe H5, elbow H6, and pipe II'I. The latter enters a reinforced opening in the rear wall 20 of the tank.

It will be apparent that in operating the cooler with the basin G in service, the degree of pressure of the water passing into the basin will depend upon the number and location of the apertures 35 in the bottom 25 of the basin. In some instances it is desirable to operate without the use of the bye-pass and in such case the valve I I2 is closed. The degree of pressure, obviously, may be such that a given arrangement and number of apertures 36 will suce to keep the desired water level upon the screen 45 undisturbed. The size of the pump, its speed of rotation and other factors enter into this matter of obtaining and maintaining a, proper water level. In some in'- stances, the parts (motor, pump, etc.) might be so selected, and the number and size of the openings so determined, that the desired result could be obtained without the use of the bye-pass. Indeed, in such case it might be desirable to leave off the bye-pass connections P altogether and close the T-connection opening with which the pipe III connects, by a plug. This would cut down the cost of the cooler. On the other hand, the same care in the initial building of the device need not be exercised, and any irregularities in the water level, which might arise by reason of the speed of the pump and the arrangement and number of apertures 36, might be cared for by bye-passing a certain amount of water back into the tank instead of allowing it to pass into and through the basin G.

In some instances the modified structure of Fig. 5 might be employed to advantage. In this case the outlet pipe connection L is the same as before, except that the elbow 96 and pipe 9'! are located at a diierent elevation, due to the fact that the bottom H8 of the modified basin G is at a different elevation than the bottom 34 of the chamber 33 of basin G. In this instance, the pipe connection F which includes pipe 86 and an elbow H9, also includes a nipple IZ which passes through and is tightly iitted into an opening in the bottom H8 of the basin G and is provided with a series of holes I2I near its upper end. A plug or cap I22 closes the upper end of the nipple and leaves the openings I2I free for the outflow of the water coming through the supply connection F. In this arrangement, the basin G has vertical walls I23 which correspond to the walls 26 of the basin G but are greater in vertical extent. Likewise, the supporting frame strips |24 of the grid H have a greater depth than the frame strips of the grid H. This difference exists because the bottom I i8 of the basin G is further from the top of the basin than is the bottom 25 of basin G from its top. In other respects the structure of the basin G and the cover and associated parts is as before. In this instance the distribution of the water beneath the grid is brought about by injecting the same into the body oi water in the basin horizontally and radially. This is in contrast to the arrangement of the openings 35 in the bottom 25 of the basin G, but it is intended in both instances to accomplish practically the same result. With the nipple arrangement of the basin G', the bye-pass connections P may also be used if desired.

Thus, in the practice of the invention, there are several ways to regulate the pressure of the water supplied to the basins. ways, which may be used individually or conjointly, it is possible to get a very nice regulation of the water supplied to and held in the cooling basins. It is desirable in a structure of this kind to ll the basins quickly and still not interfere with the ideal water level.

In practice, the pump may be run continuously so that water constantly ows over the spillway surfaces of the basin, or the basin may be lled and the supply discontinued while a series of cooling operations takes place. Thus, according to the practice in one instance, the basin is lled and there are four cooling opera-- tions, produced by applying the same or dilerent plates to the cooling grid, and then the used water within the basin is forced out by a fresh supply, and so the basin is left with a fresh supply of cool water ready for the next four applications of plates. In these operations the control is exercised by the electric switch 6I. By turning on the current the pump is driven to ll up the basin, and, then, by turning the switch off, the pump is stopped until it is again desired to flush out the basin and fill it with a new supply of cool water.

It will be seen that the pump C and motor D and the associated connections E, F, L and P are adjacent the rear wall 25 of the tank B. This arrangement is compact and well suited to the employment of the cover previously referred to. This cover, designated |25, nts upon the base A and against the rear wall 2G of the tank. The upper portion I2I of the cover engages the rear wall 20 at about the level of the basin, G 0r G', as the case may be, and the rear wall |28 Because of these k of the cover rests upon the base plate Il and just inward of the upturned flange of the adjacent frame member Ill. Similarly, the end walls |29 and |36 fit against the inside of the upturned flanges of the frame members I0 which are located at the ends of the platform or base A. I'he fit of the cover |26 against the upturned anges of the frame members IU is clearly i'ndicated in Figs. 2 and 4, the cover itself being shown in section in the former figure. I-f desired, the entire cover |26 may be removed by simply lifting it from the base A.

In some instances it may be desirable to provide the rear and outer wall |28 of the cover |26 with a sliding door |3| so that access may be readily had to the pump C, the electric motor D, and other parts within the confines Vof the cover. The door l3| slides horizontally between an upper track |32 and a lower track |33. The tracks are preferably bent into the cross-sectional contour shown in Fig. 4, and are arranged to engage iianges |34 and |35 along the top and bottom edges of the door f|3|. Obviously, this door may be of any Idesired length and should be easily moved to and fro to give access to the covered space and to close the same off as desired.

The cover is obviously one having an open front which is closed by the rear Wall of the tank when the cover is in place.

In practicing my invention it should be kept in mind that any desired cooling liquid may be used instead of Water. Although this is true, I have used the word water in the claims herewith presented as it is the most likely liquid to be used in cooling plates of the kind mentioned. The word should, however, be considered rather in a generic sense than in a specific one.

Likewise, in carrying out my invention under different and varied conditions, it may be desirable to make changes in the details other than those herein disclosed. Accordingly, I do not wish to be limited to the exact matters shown but aim to cover by the terms-of the appended claims all those alterations and modications which rightly come Within the spirit Aand scope of my invention.

I claim: Y

1. A cooler for cooling plates of the class described comprising a flat horizontal base, awater tank mounted on the front portion of said base, a cooling basin at the top of said tank arranged when sufficiently supplied with water vto maintain a definite water level therein, means whereby overflow from said basin will pass into said tank, a. grid in said basin for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper surface of said grid being at the elevation of said definite water level, a pump, an electric motor for driving said pump, said pump and motor being located on the rear portion of said base, pump connections whereby said pump will convey water from said tank to said basin, means for dispersing the water passing into said basin, a cover mounted on the rear portion of said base in the rear of said tank, said cover having a top, rear and end walls and an open fro-nt, the lower edges of said rear and end walls engaging said base and the forward edges of said top and end walls engaging'the rear wall of said tank when the cover is in place, said cover thus combining with the adjacent tank wall to enclose said motor, pump and pump connections, thereby leaving the entire device enclosed except for the grid and associated parts at the top of the tank, all of said parts being movable about as a. unit, and a door cooperating with a door opening in the rear wall of said cover adjacent to said base to give access to the pump and adjacent parts inclosed by said cover when said cover is in position upon said base.

2. A cooler for `cooling plates of the class described comprising a base, a water tank mounted on said base, a cooling basin at the top of said tank arranged when sufficiently supplied with water to maintain a definite water level therein, means whereby overflow from said basin will pass into said tank, a grid in said basin for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper surface of said grid being at the elevation of said denite water level, a pump mounted on said base, a driving motor on said base for driving said pump, pump connections whereby said pump will withdraw water from said tank and supply it to said basin, the pump connection between said pump and tank entering said tank at a point well above its bottom, and separately operable outlets in the bottoms of said tank and basin respectively for draining the same and washing sediment therefrom.

3. A cooler for cooling plates of the class` described comprising a base, a water tank mounted on said base, a cooling basin at the top of said tank arranged when sufficiently supplied with water to maintain a definite water level therein, means whereby overflow from said basin will pass into said tank, a grid in said basin for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper surface of said grid being at the elevation of said definite water level, a pump for supplying water under pressure to said basin from said tank, and

into said tank, a grid in said basin for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper surface of said grid being at the elevation of said definite water level, means for dispersing the water as it enters said basin, a pump for supplying water under pressure to said basin from said tank, and means for varying the pressure of the water supplied to said basin by bye-passing said basin and delivering a portion of the water coming from said pump directly into said tank.

5. In a cooler for cooling plates of the class described, the combination of a cooling basin arranged when suiciently supplied with water to maintain a definite water level therein, means for supplying water under pressure to said basin in sufficient quantity to fill said basin to over-- flowing, a gutter surrounding said basin in position to receive the said overflow, straining means for the overflowing water located in a discharge outlet of said gutter, a grid in said basin for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper face of said grid lying in the plane of said denite water levell and means for dispersing the water in said basin to distribute the same to prevent upheavals of the water above said definite level while it is being admitted to said basin.

6. In a cooler for cooling plates of the class described, the combination of a water tank, a cooling basin arranged when sufliciently supplied with water to maintain a definite water level therein, means for withdrawing water from said tank and supplying the same under pressure to said basin in sufficient quantity to fill said basin to overfiowing, a gutter surrounding said basin in position to receive the overflow therefrom, a strainer for the overflowing water located in a for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper directly into said tank, and a grid in said basin for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper face of said grid lying in the plane of said definite water level.

'7. In a cooler for cooling plates of the class described, the combination of a water tank, a cooling basin arranged when sufficiently supplied with water to maintain a definite water level therein, means for withdrawing Water from said tank and supplying the same under pressure to said basin in suflicient quantity to fill said basin to overowing, a gutter surrounding said basin in position to receive the overiiow therefrom, a strainer for the overfiowing water located in a discharge opening in said gutter which opens directly into said tank, a grid in said basin for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper face of said grid lying in the plane of said definite water level, and means for dispersing the water in said basin to distribute the same laterally to prevent upheavals of the water above said definite level while it is being admitted to said basin.

8. In a cooler for cooling plates of the class described, the combination of a water tank, a cooling basin arranged when sufficiently supplied with water to maintain a definite water level therein, means for withdrawing water from said tank and supplying the same under pressure to said basin in suiiicient quantity to fill said basin to overflowing, a gutter surrounding said basin in position to receive the overiiow therefrom, a strainer for the overflowing water located in. a discharge opening in said gutter which opens directly into said tank, a grid in said basin for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper face of said grid lying in the plane of said definite water level, means for dispersing the water in said basin to distribute the same laterally to prevent upheavals of the water above said definite level while it is being admitted to said basin, and means for varying the pressure of the water supplied to said basin by bye-passing said basin and delivering a portion of the water coming from the pump directly into said tank.

9. In a cooler of the class described, the combination of a water tank, a cooling basin arranged when sufficiently supplied with Water to maintain a deiiite water level therein, a water chamber formed on` the under side of said basin and communicating therewith through a set of openings through the bottom of said basin, means for withdrawing water from said tank and supplying the same under pressure to said basin by way of said chamber in sufficient quantity to fill said basin to overflowing, said openings serving to disperse the ascending water throughout the body of water in the basin to prevent `upheavals of the water above said definite level while being thus supplied, means for directing the overflowed water into said tank, a bye-pass connection around said chamber and basin whereby the pressure of water in the latter may be regulated by directing a portion of the water coming from said pump directly into said tank, and a grid in said basin for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper face of said grid lying in the plane of said definite water level.

10. In a cooler of the class described, the combination of a water tank, a cooling basin arranged Wlien suiciently supplied with water to maintain a definite water level therein and to allow surplus to return to said tank, a grid in said basin for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper face of said grid consisting of wire netting lying in the plane of said definite water level, a water chamber formed on the under side of said basin and communicating therewith through a set of openings through the bottom of said basin, and a pump for withdrawing water from said tank and supplying the same under pressure to said chamber and thence through said openings to said basin to fill the latter to overflowing, the said openings in the basin bottom and the openings through the wire netting serving to disperse the ascending water within said basin and to quiet the same at said definite water level to prevent upheavals thereof above said definite level.

11. In a cooler of the class described, the combination of a water tank, a cooling basin arranged When sufficiently supplied with water to maintain a definite water level therein and to allow surplus to 'return to said tank, a grid in said basin for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper face of said grid consisting of wire netting lying in the plane of said definite water level, a pump, inlet and outlet passages from I said tank to said pump and from said pump to said basin, means for driving said pump to supply water under pressure to said basin, and means at the bottom of said basin for dispersing the ascending water through the body of water in the basin and cooperating with the openings in the netting of said grid to prevent upheavals of the Water above said definite level.

12. A cooler of the class described comprising a water tank, a cooling basin carried by said' tank and operative when suiciently supplied with water to maintain a definite water level in itself and to allow overflow from said basin into said tank, a grid in said basin for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper surface of said grid being at the elevation of said defin nite water level, a pump for supplying water under pressure to said basin from said tank, and means for Varying the pressure of the water thus supplied to said basin by varying the paths of the water coming from said pump.

13. A cooler of the class described comprising a water tank, a cooling basin carried by said tank and operative to maintain a definite water level in itself and to allow overiiow from said '-f basin into said tank, a grid in said basin for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper surface of said grid being at the elevation of said definite water level, means for straining the overflow water passing from said basin to said tank, outlet means whereby said basin may be flushed and all sediment and the like carried from said basin to a point outside of said tank, a pump for supplying Water under pressure from said basin to said tank, and means for dispersing the water as it enters said basin whereby the same will pass through the body of water in the basin to prevent upheavals of the water above said definite water level.

14. A cooler of the class described comprising a water tank, a cooling basin located above the level of the water in said tank, said basin being arranged when sufficiently supplied with Water to maintain a definite water level therein and to allow overfiow from said basin into said tank,

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a grid in said basin for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper surface of said grid being at the elevation of said definite Water level in said basin, a pump, an electric motor for driving said pump, pump connections whereby said pump will withdraw Water from said tank and supply it to said basin, means for dispersing the water as it enters said basin, the cycle through which the water ows extending from said tank through said pump and connections to said basin and thence through said basin back to said tank, means for straining the Water as it travels through said cycle, and means for starting and stopping said motor.

15. A cooler of the class described comprising a Water tank, a. cooling basin located above the level of the Water in said tank, said basin being arranged when suiciently supplied with water to maintain a definite Water level therein and to allow overow from said basin to pass into said tank, a grid in said basin for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper surface of said grid being at the elevation of said definite water level in said basin, a pump, an electric motor for driving said pump, pump connections whereby said pump will withdraw water from said tank and supply it to said basin, means for dispersing the Water as it enters said basin, the cycle through which the Water flows extending from said tank through said pump and connections to said basin and thence through said basin back to said tank, means adjacent to said basin for straining the Water immediately after it leaves said basin on its way to said tank as it travels through said cycle, and means for starting and stopping said pump.

ROBERT GERME.

, CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,169,0l12. August 8, 195.9.

- ROBERT GERNE.

It is hereb;r certified that erro;` appears in the printed specification of the above ntmbered patent requiring correctionas follows: Page 6, first column, line Y, claim 6, for the words "for supporting the plate being cooled, the upper" read discharge opening in said gutter which opens; and that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read with this correction therein thatv the seme may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Si'gned and sealed this 26th day of September, A. D. 1959.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner' of Patente. 

